Wrong-size gifts of clothing

[flyingcloud]

I really don't want to seem ungrateful.

DD's (22 months) godmother always buys her lovely clothes for Christmas. This year she bought her a Ralph Lauren puffa jacket.

The problem is is that they are always too small.

Do I say something or nothing? She posts them from abroad and she travels a lot. They don't always come with tags or a label nor wrapped up in the shop's own wrapping, which makes me wonder if she is buying them from discount stores or in duty frees on her travels. Not that that matters obviously, I don't care how she comes by them as long as it's legal :) , the thought is generous and well-meaning and very much appreciated - but equally if that is the case she/we can't exchange anything.

I feel bad that she is spending money like this so just wondered if I should say something or just thank her and put the lovely designer clothes aside for DC2 (34 wks pg and sex unknown, these clothes are not unisex!) or pass them on to non-mutual friends?

Squeeze her into them for a photo, then save or pass on.

Next time a birthday / Xmas comes up make sure you speak to her well in advance and say "Wow, I can't believe how fast DD is growing, she is in age clothes already! She's centimetres tall! Can't think where she gets it from!"

'Oh DD Godmother. It's such a beautiful coat. You always buy such lovely things. It's just such a shame she won't be able to wear it for very long though. DD must be bigger than other almost two year olds as I've had to squeeze her into it. I feel terrible that your lovely gift won't get more wear. Do you think it would be sensible for you to buy a size bigger if you get her anything in the future?'

Hm, Grumpla's idea might be better (and is, in honesty, what I've done about DS's gifts)

Agree with Grumpla but perhaps you could sell the jacket on ebay and but your LO something else instead rather than giving it away

I would thank her and then say that the clothes are lovely but sadly too small, is there any chance they could be exchanged either by you or by her.

Are the clothes sized by age - did she buy the correct age but your dd is bigger than average?

Thanks for your replies.

I have just had an email from her saying the most recent photos I sent (before Christmas) suggest that DD may have already outgrown her presents (either that or she read this thread, in which case I hope she realises how grateful we are but how we don't want her wasting her money).

The jacket won't do up so I am not sure a photo is possible (perhaps from behind!) Not sure I would sell it, I would feel guilty - would rather give it to a friend (with full-disclosure) and see someone I know benefit from it.

Anyway, good ideas and thank you. The thing is she's quite average for her age!

So is she buying age 18 - 24 months for your dd or age 12-18 months?

Ralph lauren comes up small but obviously your Dds godmother wouldnt know this unless she has a child who wears this brand or if shop assistants would have told her!
Definitely wait until new baby is born and just put it away if your newborn is a girl! I have given so much of my sons clothing away (not expecting anymore children any time soon) am now 27 weeks and starting from scratch!

We have this alot with dh's aunt. She is in the US and the clothes always seem to run small. I found out that their sizing is different: if a top is labelled, say, for a 2 year old, it will fit a child up to 2, whereas here in the uk, we'd expect it to fit a child who is 2 and a few months at least.

My ds is tall and broad shouldered and nothing seems to fit - such a shame. It took me at least a year to work out the difference in sizing, and we have gently let her know. This Christmas we got cash instead!

We have this alot

Ha. Very clever. Yes, I realised my typo after I posted thank you very much. You're preaching to the converted I'm afraid - just don't get me started on misplaced apostrophes.

I just can't resist an opportunity to post that cartoon :)